Terminator Salvation: Back and almost as good as before

[filmguy]

I always thought it would be cool if they made a Terminator movie that focused on the future war. I actually wrote a version with crayons in grade school. It just seemed like it was finally time to to get on with it. I had some doubts when I first heard about this movie in large part to McG being the director. Then I saw that kick ass trailer and, like most people who saw it, I was impressed. I had really big expectations. After seeing it I can say that it was slightly below my original expectations but it's also way better than some critics give it credit for. For the most part, the movie was damn entertaining. It definitely had a lot of little treats for the people who grew up on the original. Things that were discussed and hinted at in the previous films have pay offs in Salvation. There are even a few surprise cameos in the form of voice over and CGI that I won't give away. One moment in particular definitely had the crowed cheering. So the fan boy in me was definitely satisfied with certain parts.

The casting for this film certainly is hard to complain about. Sam Worthington really stands out in this movie as not only the most dimensional character but also as the heart of the film. It is through him that we really see this story unfold. It through him that we tackle the films more philosophical concepts and themes. So he really does steal the show. Maybe even a little too much. The narrative seemed to have a little trouble finding a focus between John Connor and Marcus Wright. The Marcus Wright character was probably the best thing about the new movie but he's also its weakness in a sense. While it's good that his character adds to the movie I felt that he outshined John Connor a little too much. They took a great deal of effort to set up and establish Marcus and his character arc but John was overlooked to some degree. In the end this new series is supposed to be more about Connor's rise in the resistance and his battle with the machines and I felt that his arc got a little lost in Marcus's shadow. It didn't help that Christian Bale's screen time was limited for the first half of the movie. We never really get to know this new John Connor very well. Every time we see him he is just going on and on about strategy and skynet. There wasn't enough human moments with him. If they had more scenes with John and his wife, maybe discussing her pregnancy, it would have made him more relatable. It's odd that we can see that she is pregnant but not one time in the movie do they talk about it or what it will mean to have a baby in this world. I'm sure that they shot scenes like that but for some reason the got edited out. I think this was a mistake. It's hard to relate to a man who is destined to lead a resistance to wage war against Skynet but it's easy to relate to man fighting to protect his family and to ensure their future. It's ironic that Marcus, a machine, is more dimensional then the human lead. Passed the halfway point though the film gets a little better handling John Connor's character. He actually gets to be more active in the plot. I think Bale was effective in the role and did the best with what they gave him. Critics seem to be bashing his performance but any blame for his portrayal I think falls on the screenwriters and director. They should have put more focus on John Connor then they did. In the last half though I think Connor does get to shine a bit.

The supporting cast was all good for the most part. The big surprise came from new comer Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese. I didn't think the guy could pull it off when I first saw him but by the end of the movie I was sold. He definitely is believable as a young Michael Biehn. He had down so many of Beihn's mannerisms and voice patterns. I was impressed with that casting choice. Moon Bloodgood was pretty effective. Her relationship and the trust she develops for Marcus seems a little rushed and unrealistic. Still her relationship with Marcus does give Marcus some of his more powerful moments. Bryce Dallas Howard did a good job with what she was given but in the end she was very under utilized. Like I said, I think they missed some great opportunities to explore her relationship to John and what her pregnancy means to them. Helena Boham Carter was effectively warm and gentle in the beginning and then cold and creepy in her big scene near the end.

It was nice to hear the Terminator theme used again. I would have liked to have heard more of it though. Danny Elfman did a good job composing the action beats but his themes weren't as memorable as they should have been. People can hum the theme from T2 but I can't even remember the new theme and I just saw the movie the other day. The film is visually amazing on all counts. The lighting, the shadows, the color, the locations, the production design, the wardrobe, and the special effects were all top of the line. Shane Hurlburt truly created a unique and visually arresting look to the film utilizing Technicolor's Oz process. The process gives the picture that dark look and tones down the colors on the screen while blowing out the highlights. This process is relatively new and adds an atmosphere to the film that serves the story. The action scenes really deliver and are jaw dropping. I was pleased that the production decided to use practical effects when ever possible instead of just copping out and using CGI like so many movies do these days. When ever CGI was used though it was usually very impressive and blended pretty seamlessly with practical elements.

I was concerned when I first heard McG was attached as director. Like everyone else I judged him by his name and his Charlie's Angels movies. When I saw the film I was pleasantly surprised. He treated the mythology, the material, the characters, and the fans with respect. Lately it seems to be in style to take established series and twist around characterizations and the history in such a way that it's not even recognizable any more. Like what JJ Abrams did with Star Trek. So it was refreshing to see a director that actually appeared to love the previous films and not want to change or do anything that would compromise them. Yet he has moved the series forward and into new territory. It's about time if you ask me. By Terminator 3 the whole lets send Terminator's back in time to either protect or kill Connor was getting old. The future war was an untapped part of the story and it seemed logical to get to it. I felt McG could have done a little more with the John Connor character and making him relatable. For the most part though, McG delivered what he promised.

I guess the only other beef I really had was with the ending. It seemed a little rushed and the solution a little too obvious. They spent so much of the film setting up the Marcus character and where they leave him off just felt a little anti climatic. They did complete his arc but something just didn't feel totally satisfying about the way they did it. I think they should definitely find a way of bringing that character back for the sequels. They need to make sure though that he takes a back seat to John Connor and Kyle Reese. They need to be the focus. Marcus really is more of a sub plot in the grander scheme of things. He should serve a similar role that Han Solo did in Star Wars. Han Solo may be the one people relate with the most but Star Wars is really more about the Skywalker family with Luke and Leia.

Over all though the film was good. It has great action, awesome effects, great little fan moments, and over all a good story. They even managed to fit in some time for themes and messages in there which is something that is becoming rare in Hollywood films recently. This very effectively serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the other films. It's not as good as the first two Terminators but I can definitely assure everyone that it's better then the 3rd one. The first two are hard to top but this comes very close to them. I think this is the best big movie of the summer so far. Star Trek was way over rated. Check this one out. I'm looking forward to the sequels.

[AristotleP]

This a comedy review?  jk

[Sheridan Passell]

You mean you didn't like the movie Aristotle? There's been a real split on this film. This is a great review from one side of that.

I haven't seen it yet, but the disagreements are only making me more curious.

[dalmatianjaws]

Two of the 2 o'clock Critics saw it this weekend and texted me to tell me not to go.  All the guys say it's shit but the action is good. The girls say it's shit and the action sucks.

[Sheridan Passell]

I liked all the clips I saw. I know you can't judge from that but clips (not trailers) are usually a fairly good indication of what to expect.

[dalmatianjaws]

Yeah, I should with hold judgement (day). I loved the clips. And McG talked a big game at Comic Con last year.

But the thing is, the critiques really make sense. The movie has two heroes, one of which was given a bigger storyline at the actor's request. That's not a script rewrite to "hone" and "streamline" a story. Makes me really think that the film is divided and doesn't spend enough time developing a single theme or central story.

We'll see. Sometime in June I'll go see it. I'm much more excited about UP

[Sheridan Passell]

The problem with the Marcus character is that in the original draft he was the Total Recall plotline. He was Arnie in that movie - He wakes up, thinks he's a good guy, fights the baddys, gets to the heart of the resistance, then it clicks he's actually the bad guy infiltrator and kills them all. But now with him being a goody (as I understand it) the amount of screentime he gets don't seem worth the trouble.

[dalmatianjaws]

Yeah, totally. I ADORE the concept that he dies pre judgement day and "wake up" in the future, effectively sending someone forward instead of back. That's totally inspired. But it sounds like they biff it.

Who is the bad guy in this? Anyone know?

[Sheridan Passell]

*** MAJOR SPOILERS ***

From what I can gather from the spoiler filled promotional material, it'll end up in a fight with Marcus vs Helena Bonham Carter and John Connor vs a T-800.

[dalmatianjaws]

Yep. My friend said Marcus saves Connor from a digital Arnie.

My boss just told me it was absolute shit. And he loves simple action films. Said it had no story and no real characters and was confusing and dull.

I almost have to see it for myself just to believe this. I mean ... how can things like this get ma - Crystal Skull - de? Yes, they know it will make cash no matter what ... ... ... but why can't it at least have a semi decent story?

[twaddington]

Saw it last night and have to admit found it pretty tedious. I'm not sure this McG guy had the credentials to direct this film, his resume consists mainly of the Charlies Angel films, also the Christian Bale set outburst indicates he had little authority over his actors plus who the hell does he think he is calling himself 'McG'.
This is definintely up there with Indi 4 as one of the worst comebacks in history. I think it was better when the post apocalyptic future of the Terminator series was left largely unseen because it gave it a sort of menacing mystery, this film should never have been made and they are talking about another 2 as well.

[Tori]

I was really unimpressed with the film.
Did anyone else find the ending extremely corney, predictable and just stupid?